Social Justice and the Digital Divide
In Wikipedia, the digital divide is described as “the economic inequality between groups in terms of access to, use of, and or knowledge of information and communication technologies” (ICT) (Wikipedia, 2013). Goodman (2013) states that the “digital divide” is often used to discuss the connectivity gap among distinct regions and demographics. My awareness of the digital divide goes to the extent of knowing it exists and that many individuals are at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to jobs, schooling and intellectual advancements if they do not have adequate access to broadband width for internet use. What I was not aware of was the expanded definition of the digital divide that looks at internet access as a “starting point” (Warchauer & Matuchniak, 2010, 181). Warchauer & Matuchniak (2010, 213) sees the digital divide “residing in the ability to use new media to critically evaluate information, analyze, and interpret data, attack complex problems, test innovative solutions. Manage multifaceted projects, collaborate with others in knowledge production, and communicate effectively to diverse audiences”. If providing a computer with access to the internet was a solution to the first definition, WarchauerHYPERLINK "http://gse.uci.edu/person/warschauer_m/docs/equity.pdf" HYPERLINK "http://gse.uci.edu/person/warschauer_m/docs/equity.pdf"&HYPERLINK "http://gse.uci.edu/person/warschauer_m/docs/equity.pdf" HYPERLINK "http://gse.uci.edu/person/warschauer_m/docs/equity.pdf"Matuchniak’s have given educators, and the world alike, a much bigger focus for solving the “new” digital divide. How will this impact our Canadian culture, in particular our Aboriginal peoples, in terms of educational change needed to overcome this new digital divide?
References
Goodman, J. (2013). The digital divide is still leaving Americans behind. Mashable.com http://mashable.com/2013/08/18/digital-divide/
Warchauer, M., & Matuchniak, T. (2010). New technology and digital worlds: Analyzing evidence of equity in access, use, and outcomes. Review of Research in Education, 34(1), 179-225 http://gse.uci.edu/person/warschauer_m/docs/equity.pdf
Wikipedia, 2013, Digital Divide, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_divide
In Wikipedia, the digital divide is described as “the economic inequality between groups in terms of access to, use of, and or knowledge of information and communication technologies” (ICT) (Wikipedia, 2013). Goodman (2013) states that the “digital divide” is often used to discuss the connectivity gap among distinct regions and demographics. My awareness of the digital divide goes to the extent of knowing it exists and that many individuals are at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to jobs, schooling and intellectual advancements if they do not have adequate access to broadband width for internet use. What I was not aware of was the expanded definition of the digital divide that looks at internet access as a “starting point” (Warchauer & Matuchniak, 2010, 181). Warchauer & Matuchniak (2010, 213) sees the digital divide “residing in the ability to use new media to critically evaluate information, analyze, and interpret data, attack complex problems, test innovative solutions. Manage multifaceted projects, collaborate with others in knowledge production, and communicate effectively to diverse audiences”. If providing a computer with access to the internet was a solution to the first definition, WarchauerHYPERLINK "http://gse.uci.edu/person/warschauer_m/docs/equity.pdf" HYPERLINK "http://gse.uci.edu/person/warschauer_m/docs/equity.pdf"&HYPERLINK "http://gse.uci.edu/person/warschauer_m/docs/equity.pdf" HYPERLINK "http://gse.uci.edu/person/warschauer_m/docs/equity.pdf"Matuchniak’s have given educators, and the world alike, a much bigger focus for solving the “new” digital divide. How will this impact our Canadian culture, in particular our Aboriginal peoples, in terms of educational change needed to overcome this new digital divide?
References
Goodman, J. (2013). The digital divide is still leaving Americans behind. Mashable.com http://mashable.com/2013/08/18/digital-divide/
Warchauer, M., & Matuchniak, T. (2010). New technology and digital worlds: Analyzing evidence of equity in access, use, and outcomes. Review of Research in Education, 34(1), 179-225 http://gse.uci.edu/person/warschauer_m/docs/equity.pdf
Wikipedia, 2013, Digital Divide, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_divide